Greenhouse

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Departments & Programs
  4. Department of Biology
  5. Greenhouse

The Colgate University Greenhouse is home to an extensive collection of unique plants and our faculty researchers' projects. This space serves as a living classroom and laboratory to support student learning and research inquiries.

The Greenhouse is open year-round to students, faculty, and staff. Public school tours are available to active participants in the university's scientific outreach programming efforts. To schedule a field trip or to find out more information about Colgate's Science Outreach program, please call 315-228-6125 or email scienceoutreach@colgate.edu

Greenhouse Collection 

The facility houses approximately 1,000 species, including ferns, orchids, cycads, cacti, and succulents. We have a unique assortment of bromeliads, epiphytes, plants of economic importance, and a variety of flowering vines. This astounding collection is the culmination of many years of travel, seed saving, and research by several members of the Colgate Biology Department faculty and staff.

3,000
The entire greenhouse facility is 3,000 square feet.
1,800
The total growing area under glass is roughly 1,800 square feet.
6
Growing space is divided into six separate climate-controlled plant zones.

Our greenhouse spaces are organized into several functional zones:

  • Tropical conservatory
  • Temperate conservatory
  • Arid conservatory
  • Three faculty research rooms

Community Outreach

Tours often include visits to our conservatory spaces and the university's geology museum, and a showing in Colgate’s Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory. School tour groups from various regions are welcome to schedule tours with our scientific outreach programming. Book your tour today.

About Colgate’s science outreach

Greenhouse Mission

The Colgate University Greenhouse serves as a living laboratory dedicated to fostering botanical curiosity and scientific discovery. We provide a controlled environment for faculty-student research, preserve diverse plant collections for the biology curricula, and promote a deeper understanding of biodiversity in an ever-changing global climate.

Contact Information

Faculty Greenhouse Curator

jwatkins
James (Eddie) Watkins
Professor of Biology
129 Ho Science Center
  • MR 3:40pm - 5:00pm (129 Ho Science Center)
  • TR 1:30pm - 3:30pm (129 Ho Science Center)

Faculty Partners

ffrey
Frank Frey
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
224 Ho Science Center
  • MTF 1:00pm - 2:00pm (224 Ho Science Center)
ccardelus
Catherine Cardelús
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies; Faculty Director, Upstate Institute